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Wade grabs win for Heat over Kings in OT

Jan 10, 2009 - 7:43 AM By Tom Galland PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- Whether playing at home or on the road, the Sacramento Kings have trouble closing out games. Dwyane Wade does not.

Wade poured in 41 points and carried the Miami Heat to a come-from-behind win over the struggling Kings, 119-115, in overtime at Arco Arena on Friday.

Rookie Michael Beasley added 23 points and 10 rebounds in one of his best performances for the Heat.

"That (No. 30) is real good, "said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra of his star, who added seven assists and three steals to go with his game-high point total. "This was pretty good, just incredible."

Wade is used to being called on at crunch time and continues to prove he is one of the league's best clutch performers.

"I was trying to do everything I can to help us come out with this win," Wade said. "To me, it was a must-win for us.

"You don't want to start off a seven-game road trip 0-2, especially going against the Lakers next game and having a young team - confidence can waiver. We had to do everything in our power to get this win."

Miami blew a four-point lead in the final 13 seconds of regulation after battling back from a 10-point deficit.

In the extra period, Kevin Martin was fouled while shooting a 3-pointer and made all three free throws to put the Kings up one with 1:35 left.

Spencer Hawes followed with a 16-footer as the shot clock expired to make it 115-112 with under a minute left.

But Wade came through in the end, hitting from the arc to tie it again, then taking advantage of a defensive lapse to score the game-winner.

Wade drove by Salmons, who had looked to his right expecting a screen, and was fouled by Brad Miller. Wade made both free throws and the Kings' desperation shot by Hawes wasn't close.

"Once I saw Salmons look for the pick, I was gone," Wade said. "I thought I had me an open dunk. You've got to go. You don't know how many times you're going to get that opportunity."

Daequan Cook converted two from the line for the final margin.

"I think as the game went on, especially in that overtime, I just felt like I had the hot hand," Hawes said. "They just kept going in.

"But the last one, my old AAU coach told me never to miss short, and sure enough I missed off the front rim. I guess sometimes they can't all go your way."

The end of regulation was just as exciting.

Wade scored eight points and assisted on another basket in the final seven minutes and Miami looked like it would win without the need for an extra period.

After Wade made 1-of-2 from the line to make it 103-99, Hawes brought the Kings back.

Bobby Jackson fed the 7-footer in the corner for a turn around 3-pointer that was nothing but net with 10 seconds left, and the Kings immediately fouled rookie Mario Chalmers, who made 1-of-2 free throws as well to leave the door open for Sacramento.

Again, Jackson fed Hawes, and the second-year center calmly stroked an 18-footer from the wing to tie the game at 104-104.

John Salmons, who led the Kings with 29 points, played defense on Wade, who missed a final shot to send the game to overtime.

Beasley, who was celebrating his 20th birthday, helped key the Heat's rally from 10 points down early in the fourth.

The 6-9 forward from Kansas State reeled off seven straight by himself, then made it a 9-0 run with a feed to Jamaal Magloire for a dunk that cut the deficit to one.

"I think as the season goes on, by every game, I get better," Beasley said. "I'm in control more and getting a little more comfortable out there. I was just out there trying to play my game, took my time and didn't rush anything. Good things came."

The Kings fell to 0-3 in overtime games this season with the loss as they continue to struggle with turnovers at crucial times.

"Obviously, it's another disappointing loss after fighting so hard, having a chance to tie it up in regular, going to overtime and having a chance to win another basketball game," Kings interim coach Kenny Natt said after seeing his team lose its fifth straight.

"Then we let it slip away."